on the off chance
In case somehow
On the off chance means in case something unlikely happens—acknowledging low probability while still preparing for it: I brought an umbrella on the off chance it rains.
The phrase hedges expectations: you're not betting on the outcome, just covering the possibility.
I called on the off chance she might be home.
Belief shaped by desire
- optimisticExpecting positive results
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
- fingers crossedGesture wishing for luck
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
yearning · dreaming · faith · bright side · silver lining · what if · maybe · perhaps
Unlikely to succeed
- remoteDistant or controller
- slimThin or meager
- unlikelyNot apt to happen
- improbableNot likely true
against the odds · dark horse · wild card · fluke · miracle · freak occurrence · rare · exceptional
Guess from limited facts
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- suppositionBelief without proof
- assumptionUnverified belief accepted as true
hunch · intuition · gut feeling · speculation · theory · shot in the dark · stab in the dark · educated guess
For possible need
- backup planAlternative if primary fails
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- safety netProtection against failure
- hedgeBoundary of planted shrubs
fallback · plan B · insurance · provision · safeguard · preparation · eventuality · scenario
wishful thinking
Belief shaped by desire
- optimisticExpecting positive results
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
- fingers crossedGesture wishing for luck
aspiration · yearning · dreaming · faith · bright side · silver lining · what if · maybe · perhaps · possibly
longshot
Unlikely to succeed
improbable · against the odds · dark horse · wild card · fluke · miracle · freak occurrence · rare · exceptional · extraordinary
conjecture
Guess from limited facts
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- hypothesisTestable proposed explanation
- suppositionBelief without proof
assumption · hunch · intuition · gut feeling · speculation · theory · shot in the dark · stab in the dark · educated guess · gamble
just in case
For possible need
- backup planAlternative if primary fails
- precautionPreventive safety measure
- safety netProtection against failure
hedge · fallback · plan B · insurance · provision · safeguard · preparation · eventuality · scenario · in the event
hesitant
Slow to act
guarded · noncommittal · cautious · hedging · qualified · provisional · skeptical · unsure · wavering · ambivalent
on the off chancecounting on
Trusting to come through
banking on · expecting · anticipating · presuming · optimistically
on the off chanceguaranteed
Promised with certainty
inevitably · without a doubt · for certain · undoubtedly · assuredly